Women own Eden race day

Jacob McMaster13 Aug 2014, 2:30 p.m.

Five out of seven races were won by female jockeys at the Sapphire Coast Turf Club’s Eden Cup race meet on Sunday.
The club played host to an even field of seven female and seven male jockeys, but the girls came away with the prizes in the majority said club secretary/manager Rob Tweedie.

• Carly Frater (left) rides Jockarli to success in the sixth race of the day

Five out of seven races were won by female jockeys at the Sapphire Coast Turf Club’s Eden Cup race meet on Sunday.

The club played host to an even field of seven female and seven male jockeys, but the girls came away with the prizes in the majority said club secretary/manager Rob Tweedie.

“We got towelled up by the girls yesterday,” Tweedie said with a laugh.

Tweedie said the day was a great success and proved larger than last year’s event.

“The crowd was well up on last year and a number of Eden businesses got involved in the day,” Tweedie said.

“There was more than 130 people in the sponsors area.”

For the second time in as many meets, a newcomer to the racing circuit picked up a first place run.

“Claire Gee won the second race and it was her first ever race ride,” Tweedie said.

Meanwhile, Carly Frater - who won her first ever race at the Sapphire track - returned and rode two winners during the meet.

“The other girl Carly Frater has had other rides since her first win, but she came back to the Sapphire Coast and rode two winners.

“I think she was pretty excited about that big achievement,” he said.

The club also took the opportunity to make presentations from its horse, trainer, jockey and apprentice of the year standings.

“Overall it was a great day out and we had the presentations.”

However, Brendan Ward pipped her at the final race meet last month to claim the jockey of the year crown.

Trainer of the year was Donna Griesdale, while the John Law trained horse Four Fortyfour out of Moruya won the Glen Mia horse of the year standings.

Tweedie said there had almost been a dozen extra acceptances in this year’s meet, which benefitted everyone.

“This year had entries in the high 80s, the bigger the field, the better the spectacle,” he said.

The seven race meet had an average run of 12 horses per race.

The meet marked the first races of the season for the club, and it hoped to build on the success of last year.

“Last year was the most successful the club has been since its inception out here and we are excited by the way things have started off.”